Morgan's final NWSL match, featured in extraordinary broadcast collaboration

Perhaps only Alex Morgan's retirement announcement could have inspired a deal that will allow all NWSL media broadcast partners to air her final match.

The contest, San Diego Wave FC vs. the North Carolina Courage, will be aired on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, NWSL+, Prime Video, ESPN2 and ESPN+ on Sunday evening, September 8, at 8 p.m. (ET).

“Alex Morgan has had an immeasurable impact on both the NWSL and the global soccer community - and she has inspired generations of players and fans around the world,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We are so grateful to CBS Sports for helping to elevate the league and for always being amazing partners and recognizing the pivotal moment to allow for this unprecedented broadcast to happen, as well as to Prime Video and ESPN for their partnership in celebrating a true sports legend. Our partners coming together to celebrate Alex is an event that speaks volumes about the power of sports and female athletes to unite fans everywhere. Alex couldn’t be more deserving of this moment."

It also speaks volumes about Morgan's importance to the league and the sport.

According to NWSLsoccer.com, Morgan has played in the NWSL since its inception in 2013. She has 60 career goals in stints with San Diego Wave FC, Orlando Pride, and Portland Thorns FC. Morgan was the 2022 NWSL Golden Boot winner with 15 goals and led Portland to the first-ever NWSL Championship in 2013. On the international stage, is a two-time World Cup Champion (2015, 2019) and an Olympic gold medalist, having competed for the U.S. senior national team since 2010.

The website provides this assessment of her importance to the game: "Off the field, she’s been a fierce champion for girls and women in sports, leading the fight for equal pay and advocating for safer sporting environments. This season is the first under the NWSL’s new media rights deal that runs to 2027. Last year, the league announced a landmark four-year domestic rights deal with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps, which includes 118 matches broadcast live across national windows. The $240M deal was the largest-ever media deal for a women’s sports league when it was announced in 2023."

CBS Sports will host 30-minute pre- and post-match studio shows simulcasting on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ with the Attacking Third crew, including analysts Lisa Carlin and Darian Jenkins and pitch side reporter Jenny Chiu. Studio coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Match coverage will be anchored by play-by-play announcer Maura Sheridan in the booth alongside analyst Jordan Angeli, with Jenny Chiu providing commentary from the pitch."

In an emotional video posted on Instagram, Morgan shared her decision to retire, saying, "I'm gonna get to the point quickly: I'm retiring.

And I have so much clarity about this decision, and I am so happy to be able to finally tell you, Charlie's going to be a big sister."

Reactions from teammates on the USWNT and from adversaries in the NWSL were swift with vocal support for Morgan.

Lindsey Horan, captain of the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT), expressed deep admiration for her, stating, "Don't think many people will ever understand the weight you carried with you every day being the face of this team and women's football in general. You made the game better for so many little ones looking up to you and what an incredible career on top of it. Congrats Al."

Trinity Rodman posted: ""No words... ur amazing thank you for paving the way for me and so many others, love you."

The league, itself, was quick with this post across its social platforms: "Iconic. Transcendent. Undeniable. This game and this League are better because of you. #ThankYouAM13"

In a week where the league's other media news, game recaps now being written by AI to allow "underserved sports" to receive more support, was met with equal doses of rancor or praise on social media, that the NWSL could bring its media partners together for such a broadcast is remarkable.